I am about to buy a new oven and am wondering is it worth paying the extra money for a self-cleaning oven. The top oven is also a grill and I reckon that it will get pretty dirty, so therefore a self-cleaning option might be a good idea?
Self cleaning works as far as it goes. The top and side panels are fitted with catalytic liners which absorb fat splashes and burn them off.
You still have to clean the bottom and the glass on the door.
I certainly find it useful and would not go back to an ordinary one. We have the De Dietrich for a few years now and it is great. One mistake IMHO that people make is if they are in a hurry they place the grill pan too near the plates and this just causes the grease to splash which leads to smoking.
You may find something useful in these previous threads also.
I recall NEFF have also received good recommendations on AAM.